188 THE rOWER OF FASCINATION 



long rilhcr to the field of antiquities than to that of art. It is, however, 

 to be observed, that the most magnificent development of this simplest 

 artistic energy is found among the Celtic nations. * * * * 

 From the nature of the case, in monuments like these which bear 

 such decided marks of the simplest state of culture, in which the most 

 general laws of artistic arrangement, but none of the methods of a high- 

 ly polished expression yet appear, in these the collective power of the 

 arts must be contained. We cannot yet properly speak of a separation 

 of the two grand divisions of art considered with a reference to space, 

 viz. architecture and sculpture. On the contrary, I believe that the 

 germ of both lies hidden in them, and I do not think the hypothesis too 

 bold, that we can recognize in them both a plastic and an architectural 

 tendency. When, for example, slender stones are erected as monu- 

 ments of distinguished persons, it does not seem inappropriate to the 

 simple ideas and lively imagination of the infancy of civilization, to 

 consider such stones as images of the persons commemorated. We 

 cannot, therefore, be surprised that we find in connection with these 

 works nothing of what we, call statuary or even of ornaments regulated 

 by the rules of art, and that the remains found in those collossal tombs, 

 such as urns and other utensils, likewise exhibit nothing more than the 

 greatest simplicity of form and workmanship. 



THE POWER OF FASCINATION ASCRIBED TO SNAKES. 



Cuvier in his ''Kcgne Animal," (vol. ii, pp. 66 — 67, of M'Murtrie's 

 Trans.) remarks, that '4t has long been supposed, tliat the Rattlesnake, 

 ( Crolalus, Lin.) possesses the faculty of rendering its prey powerless 

 by its breath, or even of charming them, as it is called, by which they 

 are compelled to leap into its mouth \ this, however, is not so, the rep- 

 tile seizing its prey while under the agitation and terror, produced by 

 its appearance." His judgment appears to be founded upon Barton's 

 "Memoir upon the power of fascination," Pliil. 1796, which I have not 

 seen, but 1 have long been familiar with the following story, which the 

 newspaper, in which I find it last, gives as told by a Mr. Willard. Who 

 this gentleman was, or to what credit he is entitled, I cannot now say, 

 but the impression rests upon my mind, that I have seen him very re- 

 spectably endorsed. 



"When I was a boy about thirteen years old," says he, "my father 

 sent me into the field to mow some briers. I had not been long employed 

 when I discovered a hirgc rattlesnake, and looked round for something 

 to kill liim ; but not readily discovering a weapon, my curiosity led me 



